Personal video capture system including a video camera at a plurality of video locations

ABSTRACT

A personalized video system for acquiring video of an individual consumer as shot at an amusement park or the like and combining those images with standard, preshot video of rides or attractions. The system includes cameras for generating digital video signals of the consumer at several locations on the attraction which are marked by an identification processor with information identifying the particular attractions with the particular consumer and stored in memory. The identifying information and information as to which of several attractions have been frequented by an individual are input by means of a card to a controller. Upon receipt of signals indicating the consumer wishes to receive a completed video, the controller generates command signals for a video assembler to create the final video product inserting the personalized video signals as appropriate in a standard, preshot film.

This is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/207,920, filed on Mar. 8, 1994,now U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,838.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the preparation of video tapes anddeals more particularly with a system for filming video images andintegrating those images into a video tape containing bothprofessionally shot video as well as standard video of an individualconsumer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of techniques available for preserving visual imagesranging from professional film and television to home video and stillcameras. However, average consumers are limited to the later. A largeportion of a consumer's use of still and video cameras occurs duringvacations and outings where efforts are made to capture the experiencesof friends and family. Too often these efforts are unsatisfactorybecause the equipment and technique of the average consumer are severelyconstrained as compared to professionals. Some venues, such as certainamusement parks and national monuments, offer preshot films and stillprints for sale.

A still photograph contains one or more individuals at a particularlymemorable location or event. If the photograph is taken by the consumer,that person is often left out of the picture. If the photograph is takenby the amusement park at a predetermined site, the composition of thephotograph is constrained. Moreover, the fee typically charged for sucha photograph makes the purchase of more than a few cost-prohibitive. Thestill photograph captures only a moment in time, and does not reflectthe majority of the consumer's experience.

A variation of still photography that has recently been marketedinvolves the use of a "blue screen" backdrop which allows the consumerto select a desired image to be edited onto the photograph's background.The use of a digital camera to take either an "action shot" or one witha "blue screen" background yields a higher resolution photograph. Againhowever, the final product is a still photograph. An "action shot" isone in which a still photograph is taken of one or more individuals on aride, e.g. a roller coaster. This technique has the advantage of beingmore dynamic than the posed photograph.

Yet another method is the use of a moving film medium such as a homevideo tape camera. With the use of such a camera dynamic or full motionsituations can be recorded. However, one of the consumers must operatethe camera and is therefore not in the video. In addition, video tapecameras for home use have certain limitations and will not work in somesituations, such as low-light environments. Moreover, there are someimages that are just too difficult or impossible to capture, eitherbecause cameras are not allowed at a particular location or because itis not possible to film the desired image from the optimum location Anexample is an image of a rider during a 360° loop on a roller coastertaken from the center of the loop.

As an alternative, some amusement parks have recently begun to sell fullmotion video tapes of a "typical" day at the park. However, these tapesinvolve only of actors or individuals unknown and unrelated to theconsumer, and thus do not have any personalized images of the consumerincorporated in the tape.

No system exists in the prior art that allows for a combination ofprofessional image recording and yet is personalized for each consumer.U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,136 to Ciampa et al. discloses a method andapparatus for storing a massive inventory of labeled images, forexample, real-estate parcels in a city. Each visual image is taken witha video camera and stored in a memory device, such as a magnetic disk.The information is accessed from the magnetic disk, which is associatedwith a computer monitor to define a route to be followed with a videocamera. The video camera scans the images and provides video signals inthe order in which corresponding digital information is accessed. Eachvideo image is labeled using the digital information corresponding tothe television signals with the labeling information. Multiple frames oftelevision signals are recorded on a video recorder. One frame isselected from the multiple frames and recorded on its own frame of thevideo disk record.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,531 to Tabate discloses a vertical interval signaland coding under SMPTE control of a signal having at least a videoprogram portion with sequential fields separated by vertical intervals,and also having associated sequential field related identification codesignals. A desired field related identification code is selected and atwhich coding of the program commences. Continuously reoccurring verticalinterval code signals are generated at predetermined intervalscorresponding to like intervals between groups of fields of the programsignal. The identification code associated with that program signal issubsequently compared with the selected identification code. When theidentification codes match, the composite video program signal is signalmixed with the vertical interval code signal in a timed relationship toinsert the video interval code signal in corresponding verticalintervals of the program signal.

A master play-back unit retrieves a master video recording and itsassociated master time code. A slave play-back unit retrieves a slaveaudio recording and associated time code. A micro-processor scales theslave audio time code to produce a virtual slave time code so that themaster time code and virtual slave time code are prepared to produce avirtual off-set to be maintained substantially constant to synchronizeoperation of the master and slave play-back units. The magnitude of thevirtual off-set may be selected, as can a scaling factor to vary theretrieval speed of the slave play-back unit relative to the masterplay-back unit. Separate advancing of the master tape and slave tape maybe effected by advancing the master tape to a required position andsubsequently advancing the slave tape using the virtual off-set.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,234 to Abe discloses an apparatus for extracting andcombining a changed region in an image corresponding to a moving object.An area to be monitored is picked up by a television camera. Atelevision camera signal corresponding to the monitored area isconverted into digital data in units of frame and stored in framememories. The image data stored in frame memories are read out, and achanged region is extracted as an image of a moving object. Theextracted moving object image includes a shadow image. However, only themoving object is extracted from the frame. The shadow image is removed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,227,892 to Lince discloses a method and apparatus foridentifying and selecting edit points in digital audio signals recordedon a record medium. The apparatus includes a random access memory forstoring a reproduced segment of the digital audio signal and itsassociated time code signal. A monitor is included for displaying theimage corresponding to the reproduced portion of the associated videosignal, and a D/A converter for converting that part of the digitalaudio signal segment corresponding to the displayed image and read fromthe random access memory by reference to the stored time code forreproduction by a loud speaker. A video screen displays the wave form ofthe analog converted audio signal with a cursor to relate the wave formto the image displayed on the monitor. A register for recording the timecode read from the random access memory and corresponding to a requiredaudio edit point at which the cursor is then positioned is alsoincluded.

It would be advantageous to have a system to overcome the drawbacks ofprior methods of recording the highlights of an average consumer'svacation or outing that allows for the incorporation of professionalfilm services and equipment at a reasonable cost. The present system isdrawn towards such an invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a video system which iscapable of incorporating video signals of an individual onto a videotape containing standard, preshot images.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system of theforgoing type in which video signals of the individual are acquired froma plurality of cameras and are later incorporated into the video tape atselected locations therein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system ofthe foregoing type wherein video signals from a plurality of individualsare incorporated into a corresponding plurality of video tapes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system of theforegoing type wherein video signals are processed in digital form.

According to the present invention, a system for preparing apersonalized video tape of an individual at a preselected locationincludes a camera for recording digital signals indicative of an imageof the individual at a preselected location. There is an identificationprocessor for combining the camera signals with correlation signalsidentifying the individual with the camera signals. A memory is providedfor retrievably storing the correlated camera means signals. Acontroller presents to the memory control signals to output selectedcorrelated camera signals and also presents to the identificationprocessor the correlation signals in response to received individualinformation signals. There is an input reader for receiving signals fromthe individual containing identifying information and generatingtherefrom the individual information signals. A video storage device hasstored signals corresponding to a standard video image of thepreselected location without the individual. The present invention alsoincludes a device for generating signals initiating tape assembly inresponse to initiation control signals from the controller and a videoassembler for generating, in response to tape initiation signals, apersonalized video tape including the standard video signals combinedwith correlated camera means signals retrieved from the memory means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system forpreparing a database of signals for use in analysis of attractionsfrequented by consumers includes a camera for recording digital signalsindicative of an image of an individual consumer at a preselectedlocation and an identification processor for combining the camerasignals with correlation signals identifying the individual with thecamera signals. The correlation signals include signals indicative ofthe location configured in a plurality of location parameter fields. Amemory is provided for retrievably storing the correlated camera signalsas is a controller for presenting to the memory control signals tooutput selected correlated camera means and for presenting to theidentification processor the correlation signals in response to receivedindividual information signals. The system also includes an input readerfor receiving signals from the individual containing identifyinginformation configured in a plurality of individual parameter fields andgenerating therefrom the individual information signals. There is acompiler which, in response to control signals from the controller,generates a database of signals indicative of selected ones of thelocation and individual parameter fields from the individual informationsignals, the camera means signals and said correlation signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustration showing a portion of apersonal video capture system provided in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of a consumer card used with thesystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an image assembly processemployed by the system of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a second diagrammatic representation of the assembly processof FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of an algorithm executed by thesystem of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a personal video capture system 10of the type marketed by the assignee of the present invention under thetrademark "RenieVision". The system includes a plurality of videocameras 12 for capturing images denoted generally by the referencenumerals 14, 15 preferably in digital signal form. The system is shownin the several Figures as adapted for use with an amusement ride 16,although those skilled in the art will note that the present system canreadily be adapted to other venues.

The image is typically a dynamic or full motion image, but it may alsobe a static image. The system as illustrated includes a second pluralityof cameras 18, 20 on a second ride 22. The cameras are activated uponreceipt of enabling signals received by triggering devices 24 and 26,allowing the cameras to record an array of digital signals correspondingto an image sequence of preselected duration. More than one camera ispreferably used per ride either at different locations or at differentcamera angles. Alternatively, a single camera can be used as mandated bythe application. Each camera is strategically located to fully capturean experience, such as an individual's or family's day in an amusementpark.

Digital image signals captured by each camera are transmitted to anidentification processor 28, 29 for tagging as a sequence of imagesignals. These signals typically comprise less than 10 seconds of video.Numerous full-motion, video images of specific occurrences, e.g. anindividual's experience on several amusement park rides, are recordedand stored during the course of the day. Information identifying thecustomer is acquired at the point of sale. In addition, the digitalimage signals may be compressed in a known manner prior to transmissionof the information or otherwise prior to storage. The identificationprocessor labels the digital image signals with identifying informationas detailed hereinafter so that particular image sequence may besubsequently found and retrieved.

Associated with the identification processors is a memory 30 whichreceives identified image sequence signals for short term storage. Thesystem also includes an assembler apparatus 32 that retrieves selectedimage sequence signals from the memory to be assembled with standard,preshot video signals stored in a separate memory apparatus 34. Thestandard video can be multiple video signals of separate, complete videosequences. The standard video in the preferred embodiment comprises anentire video of the features, attractions and rides within the parkusing actors in place of the those park patrons who purchase theproduct. Non-ride video opportunities with, for example, costumedtheme-park characters at special locations around the park may alsoavailable. The present system gives patrons the opportunity to capturean adult or teen amusement park experience on the faster, more advancedrides, but also a child's amusement park experience on the kiddy ridesand other children-oriented activities.

Upon receipt of command signals from a controller 36, the assemblercomposes a personalized video by overlaying the stored image sequencesignals onto the preshot video as appropriate, yielding a video havingboth preshot and actual images of the consumer in a personalized video.In the preferred embodiment, the preshot video signals are stored inanalog format and, a D/A converter (not shown) is employed forconverting the digital image signals into an analog format. Tapereplicating devices 38 are used to generate the final product forpresentation to each of the consumers.

Activation of the system is accomplished by control signals provided onlines 40 from an input signal apparatus 42. The information inputincludes personal information on the consumer as well as information onthe rides and selected options. In the preferred embodiment, theconsumer is issued a card 44 on which is a bar code (46, FIG. 2)containing the pertinent data needed by the consumer. At the end of theday after the last ride has been completed, the person holding the cardinserts the same into a card reader 48 and generates an end of daysignal presented on lines 50 to the controller. In response, thecontroller generates command signals to begin the tape assembly process.

To more clearly understand the present system, consider the presentexample of a day at a theme park illustrated in FIG. 3. Those patronswho choose to purchase the personalized video product pay for it in fulland are then issued a special "ticket" with their park admission at thegate (block 52). The ticket is approximately 4×8 inches in size in thepreferred embodiment. A special, plastic (e.g., key shaped) customercard is affixed to the top portion of the ticket The card is of the typemarketed by the assignee of the present invention under the trademark"VideoCard".

Both the ticket and plastic card are equipped with a corresponding barcode or equivalent identifying number supplied to the controller atblock 54. Booths are located within the park for patrons who decide topurchase the product after entry. The information which is encoded onthe customer card includes a code for each individual card, month, dayand year as well as a sequential number used to insure that no two cardsare identical. The parameter information specified in the system, suchas the park code, can allow certain embodiments of the present inventionto allow for customer cards to be used at several parks, if desired.There is also a special event code used so that corporations ororganizations who rented a park and arranged for a special event,production can be properly tracked. By using the special event code itis possible to route incoming video events to specific tape decks forinclusion to a custom video tape while, at the same time, making thesystem accessible to regular clients as well.

Once inside the park, the patron removes the plastic customer card thatis attached to the ticket. Simple multi-lingual instructions printed onboth the ticket and the reverse side of the plastic customer cardinstruct the patron on the operation of the system and proper use of thecustomer card. The customer card may also equipped with a wrist strap orsimilar attachment device to ensure it is not easily lost. Whileentering any one of the several rides/attractions that are equipped withthe present system, a consumer simply inserts, at block 56, his customercard into a standard, well identified bar code reading device located atthe point just before stepping into a ride vehicle. See FIG. 1,reference numerals 58, 60 on the two rides shown. Alternatively, the barcode reading devices can be installed inside the ride vehicles where thepatron inserts his card into the card reader immediately after he or shesits down in the vehicle. Also, ride operators remind patrons to inserttheir cards before ride vehicles leave boarding area 62, 63. In thepreferred embodiment a small green light mounted on the reader tells thepatron that the customer card has been successfully read.

Inserting the customer card into a bar code reading device instructs thecontroller to record that individual's specific car-number location onthat specific ride (block 64) and store the corresponding camera signals(block 66). As the ride vehicle moves along its track or path, atriggering device, preferably an infrared sensor, identifies and countsride vehicles. Breaking the beam of the infrared sensor also triggersthe video camera positioned just ahead to start recording. Thecontroller keeps track of patrons individually identified by numberthrough their assigned customer card as they move freely around thepark. As detailed herein, the customer cards allow the system toeventually link that specific patron with a list of camera sequenceoccurrences captured at specific rides and park locations throughout theday at other rides (blocks 68-78).

For a roller coaster-type ride where passenger cars are connected, theentire chain is photographed as it passes the camera. In addition,special effects (e.g., slow-motion while hurling through a 360-degreeloop) can be added. The process is also employed at selected photoopportunity locations. For example, animal exhibits or other displayshaving a bar code reading device provides instructions (block 80) to theindividual as to where to look and move while the camera photographs theperson as they enjoy the exhibit. The image sequence is tagged andstored as above (blocks 82, 84).

The cameras do not move in the preferred embodiment, although cameramovement can be accomplished, for example, by installing cameras on theactual ride vehicles themselves in a way similar to that utilized onrace cars. In the system shown in FIG. 1, the ride vehicles simply moveinto and out of the field of view of the cameras. Each camera ispositioned to capture approximately a 6-10 second image sequence perride. Multiple 6-10 second, personalized sequences are then laterretrieved by the Controller and used to assemble the final product.Multiple sequences on multiple rides attractions are captured, logged,and stored in the manner described above.

At the end of the day or as explained in the instructions printed on theticket, at some time before planning to leave the park the patroninserts the customer card into a special, well-identified"end-production" bar code reader (block 86) which alerts the Controllerto begin assembling that particular patron's personalized videotape.Alternatively, the controller automatically starts the assemblingprocess directly after the maximum number of allowed personalizedsegments is reached.

The controller retrieves the tagged image sequences (block 88) as wellas the standard video signals (block 90). The standard video containsstock footage of the amusement park as above. The tagged image sequencesare copied and edited (block 92) onto the video tape in the appropriatelocation to create a composite video that is then printed at block 94.For example, an individual's experience on a roller coaster would becopied over or otherwise replace existing, stock footage of the rollercoaster in action at several points along the ride. In the alternative,the stock footage may be stored digitally, with the stored images of thecustomer either inserted at or replacing corresponding sections of thestock footage while both are in digital form before conversion to videotape format.

The system does not photograph individual patrons. Rather, the separatevehicle with all its passengers are photographed, whether or not theyare together. For example, two or more patrons holding differentcustomer cards but sitting next to each other on the same ride will bein the same image sequence for each camera on that particular ride. Itis highly unlikely that these same two unrelated individuals will be inadjacent seats on another ride. At the end of the day, when thesepatrons pick up their finished tape, they will each simply have the samepersonalized sequence on that particular portion of their 30-minutevideo program.

An illustration is seen by way of reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Assumethat three individuals purchase the product as described above and areissued three corresponding customer cards. Persons 1 and 2 (blocks 96,98) enter the first ride and are seated in separate cars and appear onseparate video image sequences 100, 102 in camera signals 104, 106.Person 3 (block 108) and person 2 enjoy ride 2 while person 1 declines.Consequently, video image sequences 110, 112 in camera signals 114, 116are tagged by the identification processor accordingly. The same is truefor ride three where person 2 now refrains. Video image sequences 118,120 in camera signals 122, 124 are tagged by the identificationprocessor to reflect this permutation.

The assembly process is a matter of the controller retrieving andlinking the patron's ride location and ride position information to theinfrared-triggered, ride-cycle, camera-sequence occurrences of the videofootage shot throughout the day and identified by the identificationprocessor with video time-code. The controller interrogates a list ofall a patron's rides, retrieves the linked footage, and then combinesthe individual's signal sequences with the standard tape to generate apersonalized tape that is a composite of both. As shown in FIG. 5, astandard tape 126 forms the basis for three video tapes, one for eachperson. Video tape 1 is assembled from the images from rides 1 and 3(blocks 128, 130) containing the first person, while video tapes 2 and 3contains the images of persons 2 and 3, respectively (blocks 132-138).

Those skilled in the art will observe that the only signals actuallybeing written to tape are the personalized segments in the appropriatelocations. With high capacity, commercially available video taperecorders, 4-5 minutes of personalized footage (6-10 seconds on each of10-15 rides) can be written to tape in 10-15 minutes. This estimateincludes the time needed for the controller to shuttle through the tape,laying down the brief, personalized segments (6-10 seconds per ride),one after the other, according to the pre-assigned time-code andpre-arranged editing program.

Note that the order in which patrons go on the rides is of noconsequence. The controller retrieves the personalized footage andautomatically assembles the composite tape in accordance with the orderin which the sequences are arranged on the standard tape. Since astandard tape is used as a basis, there are no dropouts or blank spaceson the tape reserved for the personalized segments should a person skipa ride. Rather, the personalized segments are copied over or on top ofexisting stock footage of that particular ride. If a patron skips aride, his tape will still be complete, as there simply will not be anypersonalized footage seen on that particular ride. Since high-end,flame-accurate HS decks and time-code are used in the preferredembodiment, the editing and inserting of the personalized segments areclean and professional The personalized sequences, all routed,contained, and catalogued according to time-code on multiple,terabytesize hard disks, are located by the controller, output from thathard disk and inserted onto the exact section of the tape containing thestock footage of the same attraction or ride in order to maximize theoverall effect. A professional, high-quality video program is createdfor patrons to take home and share with friends and relatives when thepersonalized segments are combined and intercut with the pre-recordedstock footage of the same rides or attractions as well as any otherstock material on the tape such as special events, parades, fireworkshows, etc.

Upon completion of the editing and inserting of the personalizedsegments onto the pre-recorded tapes, a VHS video tape recorderautomatically rewinds and ejects the tape. At the same time, thecontroller produces a personalized label by means of a laser printer orequivalent. An on-site concession worker affixes the label to the righttape, and then exchanges the finished product for the patron's customercard. Afterwards, the customer cards are destroyed by park personnel, orcancelled out by the computer and reused in some embodiments. If thepatron wishes, the finished videotape can be delivered later to theirhotel room if they are staying at a nearby hotel. Similarly, specialarrangements with nearby hotels can be made so that hotel guestsplanning to attend the nearby theme park could complete financialarrangements at their hotel, instead of at the park entrance gate.Finished videotapes can also be mailed to the patron's home address foran additional fee. If desired, duplicates of personalized videotape canalso be purchased and sent as "video postcards" or gifts to friends andrelatives anywhere in the world.

The present system as described in the preferred embodiment contemplatesthe use of large numbers of components in a fully-operational system inthe theme park, such as Disney World. Consequently, the elements whichcomprise the preferred embodiment must be quite robust to handle thelarge amounts of data which would be generated as well as control thepossibly hundreds of cameras, VCR's, etc. The following are exemplaryhardware used in such a system. Those skilled in the art will note thatother equivalent componentry can be substituted in the preferredembodiment as well as in other embodiments which are adapted to aparticular park or attraction.

The preferred controller is a Silicon Graphics brand Challenge XL modelcomputer which is capable of handling multiple digital video signaloutputs and inputs simultaneously. The Silicon Graphics computer alsocontains circuitry which is configured to perform the functions of theidentification processor. The system is preferably configured to use aUNIX operating system. Data signals from the camera are transmitted overconventional cables or wireless transmissions.

The camera used in the preferred embodiment is a Sony DXC-930 3 CCDcover video camera using a VCL-716 BXEA lens. There is a CMA-D1 poweradapter, as well as a CCDC-10 DC power cable. Control and data signalsare transmitted via a CCXC-9 DD 9-pin video cable. The video cardsaffixed to the video cameras for processing the digital signals aretypically fast SCSI2 type cards such as Sirius/Galileo cards. A varietyof data compression formats can be used. The system may also comprise amonitor for each of the rides so that the system operators may monitorthe cameras and make adjustments to focus, zoom, etc. as desired. Inaddition to standard audio input, the system may include microphonesconfigured to directly capture the individual's excitement and reactionsduring and after the ride.

In the preferred embodiment a fully digital video may be too slow forsome applications. Consequently, the preferred embodiment anticipates aconfiguration in which 3-4 minutes of personalized video segments aredigitized as opposed to, for example, an entire 30 minute program. Knowntape editing systems having time code edit with roll forward/reverse, onthe fly and "splice" operations can be accomplished in pre-recordedtapes with this configuration. The present system also provides for ondemand video editing of the original program if, for example, there is anew attraction requiring insertion of appropriate footage. The videoformat is also flexible, and includes VHS and Beta format used incertain countries as well as NTSC as used in U.S.A. and Japan, PAL asused in Europe and most of the rest of the world, and SEACAM as used inFrance. Also, other signal formats (e.g., laserdisc, CD and 8-mm) can bereadily adopted. Other exemplary hardware used in the preferredembodiment include a SR11 Data Logic slot scanner and a DFS 8000 DataLogic wedge decoder used in the reading of the bar codes contained onthe customer cards.

Similarly, although the invention has been shown and described withrespect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes omissions and additionsthereto maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. For example, the present system also includesan embodiment in which a processor receives signals from the controllerwhich identify which of the attractions the patrons have each beenfrequenting and compiles the same along with other pertinent informationsuch as the date and time of day. This information can be combined withother bibliographic information on the individual consumer to yieldimportant information about the parks' customers.

As an example, traffic flow between rides can be monitored as can theorder in which the rides are taken. Customer preferences as to whichattractions are favored are readily ascertained. When combined withconsumer information such as demographics, more effective advertisingcan be implemented. The video of the consumers can also be monitoreddirectly to provide feedback to management on personal responses, e.g.,the reaction of children. The park can modify a ride in some respect,such as by adjusting the level of intensity of a ride in order toprovide a more pleasant experience.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system that asynchronously records an image ofan individual at a preselected location and retrievably stores digitalsignals of the image for preparing a personalized video tape, the systemcomprising:a camera means for asynchronously providing digital signalsindicative of the image of the individual at the preselected location;an identification processor for combining said digital signals withcorrelation signals identifying the individual with said digital signalsand generating correlated camera means signals; a memory means forretrievably storing the correlated camera means signals; a controllerfor presenting to said memory means, in response to received tapeassembly signals, control signals to retrieve selected correlated camerameans signals and for presenting to said identification processor saidcorrelation signals in response to received individual informationsignals and further for generating tape initiating signals to beginpersonalized video tape assembly; an input reader means for receivingsignals from the individual containing identifying information andgenerating therefrom said individual information signals; video storagemeans having stored therein signals corresponding to a standard videoimage of said preselected location without the individual; a means forgenerating said tape assembly signals for initiating tape assembly areidentifying selected correlated camera means signals; and a videoassembly means for generating, in response to said tape initiatingsignals, a personalized video tape including said standard video imageasynchronously combined with said selected correlated camera meanssignals.
 2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an editormeans for transferring said selected correlated camera means signalsfrom said memory means onto a selected location in said personalizedvideo tape.
 3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said camera meansfurther comprises a video camera moveable about a video location.
 4. Thesystem according to claim 1 wherein said camera means further comprisesa video camera providing camera means signals in digital form.
 5. Asystem that asynchronously records an image of an individual at apreselected location and retrievably stores digital signals of the imagefor preparing a database of digital signals for use in analysis ofattractions frequented by consumers, the system comprising:a camerameans for asynchronously providing digital signals indicative of theimage of the individual consumer at the preselected location; anidentification processor for combining said digital signals withcorrelation signals identifying the individual with said digital signalsand including signals indicative of said location configured in aplurality of location parameter fields and generating correlated camerameans signals; a memory means for retrievably storing the correlatedcamera means signals; a controller for presenting to said memory means,in response to received tape assembly signals, control signals toretrieve selected correlated camera means signals and for presenting tosaid identification processor said correlation signals in response toreceived individual information signals and further for generating tapeinitiating signals to begin personalized video tape assembly; an inputreader means for receiving signals from the individual containingidentifying information configured in a plurality of individualparameter fields and generating therefrom said individual informationsignals; and a compiler means, in response to said tape initiatingsignals from said controller, for generating a database of signalsindicative of selected ones of said location and individual parameterfields from said individual information signals, said digital signalsand said correlation signals.
 6. The system according to claim 1 furthercomprises a means for compressing said digital signals.
 7. A method ofmaking a personal video capture product that asynchronously records animage of an individual at a preselected location and retrievably storesdigital signals of the image comprising the steps of:providing a camerameans for presenting at least one digital video image at a predeterminedlocation in response to a control signal; asynchronously presenting thedigital video image at a predetermined location in response to thecontrol signal; providing a storage medium for retrievably storing saiddigital video image; sending the digital video image to the storagemedium; receiving signals from the individual containing identifyinginformation and generating therefrom individual information signals:digitally processing the digital video image to label the digital videoimage with said individual information signals; retrievably storing thelabeled digital video image in the storage medium; selecting andretrieving the labeled digital video image in the storage medium inaccordance with an editing program; and asynchronously combining theselected digital video image with standard video signals.
 8. A systemthat records an image of an individual at a preselected location andretrievably stores digital signals of the image for preparing a databaseof signals for use in analysis of attractions frequented by consumers,the system comprising:a camera means including a plurality of videocameras at each of a plurality of video locations for providing digitalsignals indicative of the image of the individual consumer at thepreselected location; an identification processor for combining thedigital signals from said plurality of video cameras with correlationsignals identifying the individual with said digital signals andincluding signals indicative of said location configured in a pluralityof location parameter fields and generating correlated camera meanssignals; a memory means for retrievably storing the correlated camerameans signals; a controller for presenting to said memory means, inresponse to received tape assembly signals, control signals to retrieveselected correlated camera means signals and for presenting to saididentification processor said correlation signals in response toreceived individual information signals and further for generating tapeinitiating signals to begin personalized video tape assembly; an inputreader means for receiving signals from the individual containingidentifying information configured in a plurality of individualparameter fields and generating therefrom said individual informationsignals; and a compiler means, in response to said tape initiatingsignals from said controller, for generating a database of signalsindicative of selected ones of said location and individual parameterfields from said individual information signals, said digital signalsand said correlation signals.
 9. The system of claim 8 further comprisesa means for compressing the digital signals.
 10. A method of making apersonal video capture product that records an image of an individual ata preselected location and retrievably stores digital signals of theimage comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of camera means ateach of a plurality of video locations for presenting at least onedigital video image at a predetermined location in response to a controlsignal; presenting the video image at a predetermined location inresponse to the control signal; digitizing the video image; providing astorage medium for retrievably storing said digital video image; sendingthe digital video image to the storage medium; receiving signals fromthe individual containing identifying information and generatingtherefrom individual information signals; receiving signals from theindividual containing identifying information; digitally processing thedigital video image to label the digital video image with saidindividual information signals; retrievably storing the labeled digitalvideo image in the storage medium selecting and retrieving the labeleddigital video image in the storage medium in accordance with an editingprogram; and combining the selected digital video image with standardvideo signals.
 11. A system that records an image of an individual at apreselected location and retrievably stores digital signals of the imagefor preparing personalized video tape, the system comprising:a camerameans including a plurality of video cameras, one video camera beinglocated at each of a plurality of video locations for providing digitalcamera means signals indicative of the image of the individual at thepreselected location; an identification processor for combining saiddigital camera means signals from said plurality of video cameras withcorrelation signals identifying the individual and corresponding videocamera location, and generating correlated camera means signals; amemory means for retrievably storing the correlated camera meanssignals; a controller for presenting to said memory means in response toreceived tape assembly signals; control signals to retrieve selectedcorrelated camera means signals and for presenting to saididentification processor said correlation signals in response toreceived individual information signals and further for generating tapeinitiating signals to begin personalized video tape assembly; an inputreader means for receiving signals from the individual containingidentifying information and generating therefrom said individualinformation signals; video storage means having stored therein standardvideo signals corresponding to a standard video image of saidpreselected location without the individual; a means for generating saidtape assembly signals for initiating tape assembly and identifyingselected correlated camera means signals; and a video assembly means forgenerating, in response to said tape initiating signals, a personalizedvideo tape including said standard video signals combined with saidselected correlated camera means signals.
 12. The system according toclaim 11 further comprising an editor means for transferring saidselected correlated camera means signals from said memory means onto aselected location in said personalized video tape.
 13. The systemaccording to claim 11 wherein said identification processor furthercomprises a means for generating individual correlation signals forassociating received camera means signals with a one of a correspondingplurality of individuals and wherein said video assembly means furthercomprises a video means for generating, in response to said tapeinitiating signals, a plurality of said personalized video tapes, eachof said tapes corresponding to a respective one of said individuals. 14.The system according to claim 11 wherein said camera means furthercomprises a video camera moveable about a video location.
 15. The systemaccording to claim 11 wherein said camera means further comprises avideo camera providing camera signals in digital form.